'Houses Four Potions'

Astonia smiled as she walked down to the library her copy of One Thousand Magical Herbs and Fungi by Phyllidia Spore in her arms. She wasn't sure exactly how to approach Ginny Weasley yet. She knew it would be best to do it when there were less Slytherins around. It could wait though, she really did have potions homework to do, and Herbs and Fungi essay to write.

She sat down at the table and began writing. Before Astoria knew it, the table in front of her was filled with books, open to various pages and chapters so she could pull information from them. Most the older students were out on the field trip and Astoria was focused on her work. Time passed before she heard a chuckle. and suddenly half the books she was working out of were jolted. The inkwell she had been using turned over on her work, splattering dark ink over hours of research.

"Ooops sorry Astoria. Didn't see you there." a Gryffindor girl laughed as she turned and sauntered back to her friends. Astoria had to use the kerchief she carried to blot up the ink. Red specks from her coughing was covered by the inky blackness, but not all together erased. Nothing could truly erase the stains. She knew that all too well. some of the black ooze edged closer to the library books and she started trying to gather them all and move them off the table. there were too many and the ink was moving too fast. A second pair of hands jumped in and helped remove the books.

"Here let me help you." The voice was kind, like Natilee's and when Astoria looked up she couldn't help but count her lucky stars. The red headed witch helped to save the rest of the books and frowned as she looked at the four foot long parchment that was over half filled with the notes that Astoria had painstakingly gathered to write her paper. "Maybe we can talk the librarian? She might have some idea of how to remove the ink without removing your writing?" Ginny offered feeling a bit bad.

"Yea, maybe I will ask her. You're Ginny Weasley right?" Astoria asked offering a soft smile. Ginny nodded at her.

"Yea, your Astoria, we are a class apart." Ginny replied as she wiped her hands off on a kerchief she kept as well. "Though with us being in Slytherin and Gryffindor its more like a world apart." Both girls surprised themselves by chuckling. Things got awkward and Ginny frowned as she saw a letter on her desk that had a familiar name scrawled across it.

"Is... this for me?" She asked picking up the note and Astoria smiled at her.

"Yes, its a invitation to join the Potions making club on campus. You are welcome to bring a friend if you feel more comfortable, but Natilee and I wanted to invite you. It is open to all Gryffindor students with a knack for potions." Astoria offered with a shy smile. She couldn't bring herself to look up at Ginny who offered a smile.

"I will see if I can make it. Thank you, for the invite, Astoria. Good luck with the Essay." She replied before bouncing off down the hall, red hair swaying behind her. Astoria cheered internally, that was so much easier than she had expected. Now, she just had to deal with her potions essay.

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Three weeks later, Natilee and Astoria were in the potions class room, Professor Snape having just told them the rules for the use of his class room.

"No silly incantations, keep my classroom neat and be certain everything, and I mean EVERYTHING is exactly how I left it, Natilee. I do not want you making a mess of my classroom." Professor Snape raised an eyebrow for a moment. "Do I make myself Clear?"

"Crystal, Dad. I will make sure everything is perfect when you come in for inspection in the morning. No using class supplies, and keeping a sample of every potion made in the class so you know what we made. I am also suppose to make sure that all students behave in a way that is befitting of a Hogwarts student." Natilee replied smiling at him. Her bright smile made his lips curve just slightly before he remembered Astoria was there.

"Good. Also join me for dinner tonight so we can discuss the progress of this class. If you need any help getting ready or anything goes wrong, the Prefect Bones will be here to watch and make sure everyone stays in line and report back to me. Head Girl Amanda will be here as well, and will have some pull as well." Professor Snape added having set all this up before hand. If she wanted this to be a equal playing field, he would make it as even as he could.

"Thank you. See you for dinner." Natilee smiled and glanced at Astoria who dissapeared into the back to get some viles almost on cue. Natilee hugged her father and smiled. "Thank you." he hugged her back gently.

"I promised I would help you best I could without hurting you. This is going to be good for the school, as much as your plan. I don't like this, but I will back you. Always." He told her quietly before kissing her hair and letting go.

"Thank you, Daddy. Now go on, I have to get ready to hold our first meeting of the Houses Four Potions." Natilee chuckled and he rolled his eyes with a slight shake of his head.

"I still do not approve of the name." He stated again shaking his head before turning to walk up stairs to his office. She nodded smiling softly.

"Would Mom have?" She asked and he stopped on the top stair facing back down at her. He didn't turn back. The soft chuckle and grim smile was hidden from his daughter.

"Yes. Yes she would have." He affirmed before walking through the door and closing his office off. His back pressed against the door as the tears came.